Taipei City Reduces Pedestrian Trash Cans to Control Rats and Maintain Cleanliness
Taipei City announced a further reduction in the number of pedestrian trash cans to prevent rat infestations and maintain cleanliness. Last year saw the largest reduction in the past four years, with even more trash cans expected to be removed this year. Adjustments to placement will be made based on citizen complaints.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 13:08
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 13:31 (23 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 22:57 (9h 25m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shu-min, Taipei 11th) Taipei City is launching a large-scale cleanup in 12 districts to prevent rat infestations. Some citizens have noticed a decrease in pedestrian-only trash cans. The Environmental Protection Department explained today that adjustments will be made based on local feedback regarding messiness. Last year saw the largest reduction in groups in the past four years, and it is related to rat control. More reductions are expected this year.
Taipei City's rat control efforts have garnered attention. Following the launch of a large-scale cleanup in Zhongshan District on the 8th, the other 11 districts will follow suit for four consecutive days starting today.
Regarding citizens noticing that public trash cans on sidewalks have been removed, they wonder if it is related to rat control. Chen Hao-chang, section chief of the Environmental Cleaning Management Section of the Taipei City Environmental Protection Department, told the Central News Agency that the placement of pedestrian-only cleaning bins is subject to rolling adjustments. There was a reduction in groups last year, and this year it is also related to rat control. The main reason is that local public representatives and neighborhood chiefs reported that people were dumping household waste, causing messiness, which would lead to a site visit to evaluate whether to make adjustments.
Regarding the number of pedestrian-only cleaning bins, Chen Hao-chang pointed out that about 10 to 20 years ago, there were as many as 3,000 sets throughout Taipei City. The peak in the past four years was 2,000 sets in 2022 (ROC year 111), followed by 1,982 sets in 2023 (ROC year 112), 1,956 sets in 2024 (ROC year 113), and only 1,682 sets remaining in Taipei City by the end of 2025 (ROC year 114). Among these, the largest reduction was in 2025, and more reductions are expected this year.
In addition, some foreigners have complained online that they cannot find trash cans in Taipei City when they want to dispose of trash. Chen Hao-chang stated that if tourism needs are considered, they will be set up in commercial districts and tourist attractions.
Citizens want to know if the removed pedestrian-only cleaning bins will be put back in the future. Chen Hao-chang pointed out that in response to rat control, Environmental Protection Department personnel will strengthen patrols, but will not actively remove them. Usually, it is local residents who report messiness through neighborhood chiefs, and then a site visit will be held to evaluate whether to remove them. If they are to be put back, the process is the same, for example, they were reduced during the epidemic and put back after it ended. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shu-min, Taipei 11th) Taipei City is launching a large-scale cleanup in 12 districts to prevent rat infestations. Some citizens have noticed a decrease in pedestrian-only trash cans. The Environmental Protection Department explained today that adjustments will be made based on local feedback regarding messiness. Last year saw the largest reduction in groups in the past four years, and it is related to rat control. More reductions are expected this year.
Taipei City's rat control efforts have garnered attention. Following the launch of a large-scale cleanup in Zhongshan District on the 8th, the other 11 districts will follow suit for four consecutive days starting today.
Regarding citizens noticing that public trash cans on sidewalks have been removed, they wonder if it is related to rat control. Chen Hao-chang, section chief of the Environmental Cleaning Management Section of the Taipei City Environmental Protection Department, told the Central News Agency that the placement of pedestrian-only cleaning bins is subject to rolling adjustments. There was a reduction in groups last year, and this year it is also related to rat control. The main reason is that local public representatives and neighborhood chiefs reported that people were dumping household waste, causing messiness, which would lead to a site visit to evaluate whether to make adjustments.
Regarding the number of pedestrian-only cleaning bins, Chen Hao-chang pointed out that about 10 to 20 years ago, there were as many as 3,000 sets throughout Taipei City. The peak in the past four years was 2,000 sets in 2022 (ROC year 111), followed by 1,982 sets in 2023 (ROC year 112), 1,956 sets in 2024 (ROC year 113), and only 1,682 sets remaining in Taipei City by the end of 2025 (ROC year 114). Among these, the largest reduction was in 2025, and more reductions are expected this year.
In addition, some foreigners have complained online that they cannot find trash cans in Taipei City when they want to dispose of trash. Chen Hao-chang stated that if tourism needs are considered, they will be set up in commercial districts and tourist attractions.
Citizens want to know if the removed pedestrian-only cleaning bins will be put back in the future. Chen Hao-chang pointed out that in response to rat control, Environmental Protection Department personnel will strengthen patrols, but will not actively remove them. Usually, it is local residents who report messiness through neighborhood chiefs, and then a site visit will be held to evaluate whether to remove them. If they are to be put back, the process is the same, for example, they were reduced during the epidemic and put back after it ended. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150511
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.